China extends the suspension of customs clearance at secondary border gates

	Epidemic strictly controlled upon customs clearance
	Tons of goods waiting for export, don’t take more goods to border gates
	Lang Son: China suspending customs clearance of goods due to the Corona virus epidemic

Regarding the re-operation of trade activities of border residents, on February 7, the Guangxi Department of Commerce (China) talked with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Nanning (China). According to Nanning Customs (China), the time to restore border exchange activities (at border gates, pairs of border markets for example in Lang Son, there are secondary border gates of Tan Thanh, Coc Nam, Na Hinh and Binh Nghi) will be delayed until the end of this month, instead of February 10 as previously announced.

Competent forces inspecting goods that have been cleared at Huu Nghi international border gate from February 5

The reason for this delay given by the Chinese side is that Nanning (China) Customs does not have enough officers because many officers are being isolated due to the Corona epidemic.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Nanning is also asking Guangxi Department of Commerce to send an official diplomatic note soon so the Vietnamese side can provide information to border localities as well as people and businesses to have plans.

The agencies of the provinces bordering with China have been working with the Bang Tuong government to ensure the prevention of the Corona virus epidemic and create favourable conditions for commercial activities between Vietnam and China in the shortest time possible.

According to the Vietnamese Consulate General in Nanning, before the increasing epidemic, many localities in Guangxi issued a notice to stop welcoming Chinese residents from other localities. Notably, some localities adjacent to Vietnam such as Chongzuo and Fangchenggang have announced the suspension of activities attracting crowds.

The delay in customs clearance time by the Chinese side will make it difficult for the agricultural products waiting at Tan Thanh border gate. Photo: H. Nu

Also to push back the pandemic caused by the Corona virus, starting from February 6, the Steering Committee for epidemic prevention of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, began to announce fundraising activities to support epidemic prevention. It also informed methods of receiving money and equipment and medical supplies.

As reported by Customs Newspaper, on February 6, Lang Son Department of Foreign Affairs received information from the Vietnamese Consulate General in Nanning (China) that the External Trade - Economic Coordination Officer of Pingxiang, Guangxi (China) announced from February 10, secondary gates and the pair of border markets of China will reopen to serve trade between the two countries.

However, as of February 7, the epidemic situation in Guangxi has been increasing (an increase of four cases compared to February 6). The provinces of Guangxi bordering Vietnam including Fangchenggang have 15 cases and Baise have three cases. Therefore, Guangxi Department of Commerce has announced restoration of border exchange activities will be delayed until the end of this month (February 2020 - instead of February 10, as announced on February 6)

Commenting on customs clearance at the secondary border gates, the pair of border markets in Lang Son province, the representative of Lang Son People's Committee said the restoration of border trade activities with China depends on epidemic control. The Chinese side is also making great efforts to control the epidemic, which is also a good thing to avoid the spread. However, if the epidemic outbreak is strong in the border area, it is likely that commercial activities will be delayed more.

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However, this representative said, agencies and departments of Lang Son province will also continue to work with the government of Pingxiang, China to clarify the roadmap.